The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-11-23

the threshold. A tall. well-built man,
with a heavy brown beard and nous
tache which nearly covered his face.
''Comc in, come In, " Mr.. Forrest said.
"Why, you tire as wet Us a rat
"Only my overcoat," he answered, in
a hoarse voice. "With your permission,
III stop minute in the hall and take it
off"
lie was a long time getting off his
coat, and when he came in Mrs. Forrest
was placing an ample meal on the table.
The stranger walked to the window and
looked out.
''You have pretty place here" he
said. "At least, it must be an attractive
place in good weather."
ayes, answered the old man, with a
sigh, 1--WE are fond of the old house and
its surroundings"
''Do you live alone herel"
"As you see,' he answered, shortly.
lie thought the stranger too inquisitive.
"But dinner is ready. Take a seat"
The traveller noticed that at one place
there was handsome china plate, and in
a glass near it q bouquet of white chrys-
anthemums and red geraniums. Natu-
rally supposing it was seat of honor
appropriated TO guests, he moved towards
it. Mrs. Forrest nervously waved him
back mot there, sir!" she cried.
"Please take this seat"
"Excuse, me, madam, as he took the
indicated place. 'I'm afraid you will
be disappointed in the guest you expect,
the storm is so severe. But he ought to
have tried TO come. There should be no
vacant place at Il Thanksgiving dinner
1T is always vacant, sir" Mr.. Forrest
said. at is notion of my wife's to
keep it for our boy, who left us fifteen
years ago. You see, she has always kept
his plate on the yearly returns of these
days, and puts bouquet of his favoritc
flowers near it. 1t seems to do her
good to think he will come back some
day"
ale will come back to it, she said,
quietly. 'I'vc always felt sure that my
boy would sit there face to face with me
some day"
The strangers face worked convul-
sively. He suddenly moved toward the
seat and held out his arms to her.
"Mother! mother" he cried, with tears
filling his eyes. Don't you know me 2
Father, mother, I've come back to youm
She fell in his arms with glad cry.
But the father made one step forward
and fell unconscious on the floor. 1t
was SO unexpected, so almost impossible,
that the shock overcame him. But Joy
seldom kills, and he was soon restored
to consciousness, and learned with a
feeling ofrapture, such as for many years
he had not experienced, that his son had
come back a reformed man.
~ did not mean to run away when
left the house." David said. at was only
when paying the money to Mr.. Rapp that
realized the depth of my degradation,
and felt as if l could never look either
OF you in the face again. | shipped as
a sailor in vessel bound to Brazil, and
when it reached there left it, and found
work up the country. l did not write,
for l thought you'd rather think of me
as dead. My business prospered, and
then after had accumulated some prop
erty, l began to long for home and for
mother and for you. And so have come
to see if you still care enough for me to
take me back"
1t was a Thanksgiving supper they
had that night, for the interrupted din
ner had been entirely forgotten. Do
you think that three happier people could
have been found in the world on that
Thanksgiving Day?- Youths Companion.